Chapter 68: Snare Of The Lion

Peter and Chris sat on the porch of his home and shared a drink. They were telling jokes, sharing old stories about their war days and rekindling the fire of their friendship.

"So, what did Sally say after you got back from your first leave?" Chris asked with a smile.

"She didn't say anything. She was already married and expecting when I got back," Peter said, and both men laughed as hard as they could.

Chris put down his bottle of beer and sat up straight to face Peter.

"Now, you said you needed my help, and I'm guessing you don't need my flower-planting expertise," Chris said with seriousness.

"That's a correct guess. I need your other expertise, the one we both learned when we were recruited," Peter responded.

"What's this about, Peter? What have you gotten yourself into?"

"The woman I love is in trouble. She's being hunted by a homicidal maniac and the only way to guarantee her safety is to take him out," Peter said.

"The woman you love? I thought you said your wife was, you know..." Chris couldn't say the final word, not wanting to bring back bad memories.

"She is! This is someone else. I met her almost a year ago, and I fell in love with her and I'd do anything to keep her safe," Peter clarified.

"Why not just turn the guy after her over to the police?" Chris wondered.

"He's filthy rich and has the police in his pocket. He'll get out easily and come after her again. This is the only way."

"Are you sure we can't do something else instead of attacking the Titan?" Chris asked.

***He really wanted to prevent any form of confrontation or violence if possible.***

"There's no other option. He has already killed five people that she cared about, including her parents. He won't stop and that's why I have to stop him, but I can't do it alone," Peter explained to him.

Chris rubbed his chin with his hand, considering getting involved.

"I wouldn't be asking this of you if I had any other option. Please, Chris!" Peter begged.

"Fine!" Chris finally said. "Fine, I'll help. It's been a while since I held a gun but deep down inside, I've been craving a little bit of action."

"Once a soldier, always a soldier," Peter quoted.

"The bitter truth!"

"You don't get airsick, do you? Because this is all going down in Costa Rica," Peter told him.

"Action and a vacation! Looks like Christmas came early this year," Chris said in good spirits.

Chris stood up on his feet and Peter did the same. They faced each other and Chris extended his arm out for Peter to grasp.

"One more round, buddy?"

"One more round!"

And they shook hands as the Vikings did in medieval times, ready to fight side by side once again.

"And this your lady? Did you leave her alone to come all the way out here?"

"Don't worry about that, Chris. I wouldn't have left her without being certain that she was safe."

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.

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"Nooo!" JJ screamed as Sharon pulled the trigger in an attempt to end her life.

The gun clicked; *the clicking sound meant no bullets were left in the magazine*. Sharon tried again and pulled the trigger but the only sound the gun made was a click.

JJ began laughing where he stood and his laughter was so infectious, it made his two men laugh as well.

"I guess I was one bullet off in my calculations," JJ finally said.

He crouched down to her level and stared at her with mockful pity.

"Oh, Sharon! It seems like your fate is already written in the stars. You cannot avoid your destiny."

"Addicus... is not... my destiny," Sharon said and quickly grabbed JJ's knife from his utility belt, but before she could slit her own throat, JJ smacked her with his gun and she passed out.

"Bring the car around so we can take her to the boss," JJ instructed his men and looked down at Sharon with a mischievous grin on his face.

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*"You foolish child! How many times do l have to discipline you before you start respecting my wishes?" Addicus' father yelled at him and smacked him heavily on his face, which sent him flying across the room.*

*"Marcus, please, he's just a child," his mother begged, trying to appease his angry father.*

*"He'll never grow up if you continue to smother him. You make him weak, and it is my duty as his father to make him into a man and the first step to becoming a man is obeying instructions from higher authority," Marcus told his wife.*

*"I understand, but do you really have to be so violent?" She asked.*

*"If you can't watch me teach your child respect, then leave!" Marcus said and dragged his wife out of the room.*

*"Marcus, please, don't do this. Don't hurt our son."*

*"Mother? Mother?" Addicus called out, but she couldn't stop her husband from throwing her out of the room.*

*He locked the door and took off his belt and turned around to face Addicus.*

***The phone suddenly rang and Addicus jolted up and out of his dream. He disorientedly picked up the phone.***

"Yes?" He asked.

"Boss, I've got good news. I have Sharon, and I'm bringing her to you as we speak."

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.

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Sharon slowly but finally began to regain consciousness. Her head was spinning and her vision was blurry. There was a face right in front of hers, staring at her, but she couldn't make out whose face it was until her vision settled, and she could see the face that was bearing down on hers.

**Addicus!**

She flinched in fright and tried to move but realized that her hands were captured in bonds. She was on her knees, her arms tied upwards from above the ceiling and her legs also tied up. It was certainly a terrible start to her day and at that moment, all Sharon wanted was to disappear from the face of the Earth.